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Lunenburg Little League rallies behind bombing victims

By Matt Stewart, Correspondent

Updated:
04/28/2013 07:33:39 AM EDT

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
Players and parents stand for the singing of the national anthem during opening-day ceremonies for Lunenburg Little League at Marshall Park on Saturday. The flag was flying as half-staff in honor of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

LUNENBURG -- Parade Day, which features opening ceremonies to kick off the Little League season, is always a special event for Lunenburg youth athletes, but Saturday's ceremony had extra meaning.

Deane Smith, who suffered shrapnel injuries at the Boston Marathon bombing attacks, joined his wife Linda, daughter Chelsea, and sons Griffin and Quinn to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at the Little League kickoff event at Marshall Park.

The day had an added emphasis for the young athletes and their families, as approximately a third of the children participating in the league passed through the Smith's Bonjour School, an early child-care center in Lunenburg.

"I can't believe the amount of people who have called me, sent cards, and even this (event) is unreal," Deane Smith said.

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
The festivities began with a mile-long parade from T.C. Passios Elementary School to Marshall Park. Leading the parade were, from left, Colton Joseph, 9, Allyson Joseph, 10, and Quinn Joseph, 6, who carried a banner to honor their late grandfather, Paul Porter.

. "It really gives you faith in people. Linda's had a school here for 30 years, and she knows a lot of kids and moms and dads here. I've never thrown out a first pitch before, and I thought I'd bounce it up there. But I thank the people involved and all of those who supported us."

The Smith family, of Fitchburg, attended the Marathon to support 27-year-old Griffin's charity run for the American Liver Foundation. Griffin was inspired to raise the funds because his sister, Chelsea, will be undergoing a liver transplant.

Deane, Linda and Chelsea were in the crowd on Boylston Street when they heard the first bomb go off. Seconds later, the second explosion occurred just feet away, sending shrapnel into Deane's calf and causing injuries to his back and also to his eardrums.

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Holes in Deane's sweatshirt drew the attention of EMTs, leading him to receive treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

"I luckily did not see it because we were running," Linda Smith said. "I still haven't been able to see those people giving up what they did. But I do have to say that the people who were there that day were selfless, they were ready to care for one another. It was incredible.

"There were a lot of people there suffering a lot more than we were. It was just surreal.

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
Lunenburg Little League displays a banner to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings during Saturday's opening-day ceremonies at Marshall Park.

It's not an experience I ever want to live through again, but the outpouring of positivity and support was just amazing."

The Little League already had a full slate of honorary pitches scheduled for Parade Day. U.S. Army corporal Michael Trudel, a disabled and retired veteran who served in Iraq, threw out a ceremonial pitch with his son, Michael Jr. The grandchildren -- Quinn Joseph, 6, Colton Joseph, 9, and Allyson Joseph, 10 -- of Paul and Caroline Porter, two benefactors who were key contributors to the Lunenburg community in a number of capacities, including the Toys for Tots, threw out first pitches of honor of their late relatives.

But when word spread to the Little League this past week about the news surrounding the Smith family, the organization knew they had to recognize them and show support.

"The Smith family is part of us and raised our children," Lunenburg Youth Baseball and Softball President Stephen Chow said. "We were just shocked and afraid by the news, and thought the fundraiser would create a good way to show our support."

In lieu of financially helping the family, the Smith's encouraged Little League officials and spectators to make donations to The One Fund Boston. The Lunenburg Little League sold approximately $2,000 worth of its apparel, including windbreakers, hats, T-shirts and water bottles, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the One Fund.

The Bonjour School, owned by the Smith family and a staple of the Lunenburg community, educates around 60 students per year. The site has been in operation for nearly three decades in Lunenburg Center, and recently revitalized a property on Massachusetts Avenue.

"A lot of these kids came to the school," Linda said. "It's a nice family unit, it's small enough that I'm in touch with all the parents. We have an infant program, and those babies come in and I take care of them for the next five years. I've taken care of a quite a few of the kids in the (Little League system), and it's been a pleasure."

Several parents expressed concern for the family when the news broke, and said they appreciated the educational opportunities afforded to them by The Bonjour School. One such parent was Liana Tau-Golden, of Lunenburg, whose son attends the daycare center and participates in the youth T-ball league.

"My son would not open up to anybody else until he began going to Linda's," Tau-Golden said. "I love it there and what she's done for my son. It was a heartwarming ceremony today and it brought a tear to my eye."

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